Arrow fletching device with plate clamp

ABSTRACT

An arrow fletching device with plate clamp, as well as features and aspects thereof, provides an arrow builder the means to accurately and repeatedly position fletching against the shaft of an arrow, without a spring loaded butterfly clamp component, and securely hold the fletching thereto until a bond is attained between the fletching and arrow shaft via an adhesive. Exemplary embodiments of an arrow fletching device with a plate clamp are, generally, jig apparatuses operable to precisely position an arrow shaft relative to an arrow fletching. More particularly, exemplary embodiments of an arrow fletching device comprise a plate component, in lieu of a spring-loaded butterfly clamp, useful for receiving, positioning and retaining fletching against the shaft of an arrow. Advantageously, the use of a plate component with a specifically profiled slot operable to receive and position a fletching reduces the steps required to adhere a fletching to an arrow shaft as well as mitigates the probability of improper installation of the fletching.

BACKGROUND

An arrow fletching, generally, is a vane-like appendage commonly foundaffixed, in multiples, to the aft end of an arrow shaft. The purpose offletching is to stabilize the flight path of the arrow when shot,thereby drastically increasing an archer's accuracy and consistency overthat of using an arrow without fletching. While fletching technology hascertainly evolved alongside advancements in materials, arrow shaftdesigns, bow technologies, and so forth, the underlying concept of usinga series of fletching to improve arrow flight is nothing new.

Thousands of years before Christ, archers were fashioning bird feathersonto wooden arrow shafts in order to gain consistent arrow flight paths.To facilitate the fashioning, they made use of materials such as sinew,catgut, and strips of hide in order to literally tie the fletchingmaterial to the arrow shaft. While today's arrows still exhibit the sametime-proven form comprising a shaft with a point on one end and a nockand fletching on the other, modern day archers, of course, don't have torely on the rudimentary arrow construction techniques employed by theirancestors.

Today's fletching materials of choice vary from real feather tosynthetic feather to rubber to plastic. Regardless of the fletchingmaterial, however, most arrow fletching or vane designs in use today aresimply glued onto an arrow shaft that is made of either aluminum or acarbon composite. In short, beyond materials and constructiontechniques, the overall design of a fletched arrow has changed verylittle in tens of thousands of years. So, what's needed in the art? Abetter technique of construction, that's what.

Arrows, and the fletching in particular, take a beating during use. Eachtime an arrow is released from a bow, chances are that the fletchingwill sustain damage from contact with previously shot arrows, targets,tree limbs, or the like. The predictable result of fletching damage isan ongoing expense for the archer. Some archers prefer to buy theirarrows from an archery supplier already assembled and ready to be flung.Other archers, perhaps more particular in their preferences or, atleast, more fortunate to have abundant time at their disposal, prefer tocustom build their arrows. It is these archery enthusiasts, the onesthat choose to build their own arrows and/or arrows for other archers,who possess myriad devices and supplies useful for fletching, andre-fletching, arrows.

When constructing an arrow, the positioning of fletching relative to theshaft of an arrow is critical. One simply doesn't squirt some glue downthe shaft, stick some fletching on it, and then see how she flies.Rather, a fletching must be precisely positioned and then held in placewhile the glue dries before the arrow is repositioned for application ofthe next, precisely positioned fletching.

There are numerous devices known in the art that are useful when fittingan arrow with fletching. Generally, Bitzenburger describes in U.S. Pat.No. 3,330,551, as does Finlay in U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,382, a jig fittedwith a spring loaded butterfly style clip that is operable to clamp afletching and firmly position it relative to an arrow shaft while thefletching glue sets.

Variations of the butterfly clip style fletching jigs taught byBitzenburger and Finlay are numerous in the market, but all share commonshortcomings. For instance, with repeated use, the spring constantassociated with the clip portion of jigs known in the art are prone toweakening such that they become unable to consistently grip fletching.Also, when placing a fletching into the spring-loaded clamp, in advanceof setting the fletching to the arrow shaft, painstaking care must betaken that the fletching is positioned at the proper depth, angle andindex mark within the clamp. Further, the force applied to fletching byway of the clamping force of the clip can damage the fletching as somefletching materials are fragile. Even further, the use of a clamp isgenerally cumbersome and inconvenient for the user. Moreover, clamplengths may be specific to fletching lengths and fletching applicationsand, therefore, expensive clamps often must be swapped out each time auser changes fletching designs.

For all the reasons set forth above, as well as other reasons, prior artin the field of arrow fletching jigs are inadequate. Thus, there is aneed in the art for a device operable to consistently and convenientlyset arrow fletching without the use of a spring loaded clamp mechanism.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An arrow fletching device with a plate clamp, generally, is a jigapparatus operable to precisely position an arrow shaft relative to anarrow fletching. More particularly, an arrow fletching device such asthat disclosed herein employs a plate component, in lieu of aspring-loaded clamp, for receiving, positioning and retaining afletching against the shaft of an arrow. Advantageously, the use of aplate component with a specifically profiled slot operable to receiveand position a specific fletching reduces the steps required to adhere afletching to an arrow shaft as well as mitigates the probability ofimproper installation of the fletching.

Modern day fletching applications vary substantially. Common fletchinglengths available on the market, for instance, range from one inch tofive inches with each length available in myriad combinations ofprofiles, grain weights, and material choices. Each combination isideally suited for a specific application such as target shooting with alow energy bow, hunting with a broadhead arrow, competing in an indoortarget competition, hunting small game with a blunt tip arrow, etc. Thearcher's choice of equipment ranging from the bow to the arrow shaft tothe arrow tip hardware will necessarily dictate a fletching design foroptimum performance.

Consequently, those skilled in the art of arrow building need to beproficient in the application of numerous fletching designs. As has beendescribed, it is common for arrow builders to employ a jig apparatuswith a clamp mechanism when seeking to fix a fletching to an arrowshaft. Often, the jig base receives the spring clamp via a magnetfeature such that the user may place the fletching into the clamp,taking great care to position the fletching in the proper place withinthe clamp, and subsequently communicate the clamp with the jig base viathe magnetic feature. Assuming that the user is deft at placing thefletching into the spring clamp and communicating the spring clamp tothe base jig in just the right position, the fletching will be properlyjuxtaposed to the waiting arrow shaft.

Various embodiments of an arrow fletching device with a plate clamp seekto minimize the requisite skill a user must possess in order to properlyposition, align and fix a fletching to an arrow shaft. One exemplaryembodiment of an arrow fletching device with a plate clamp comprises ajig base having a means to position an arrow shaft along a planesubstantially parallel to, and beneath, a plane defined by its uppermostsurface. Further, the base of the exemplary embodiment also comprises amechanism by which the arrow shaft may be rotated in increments relativeto its nock position without causing the arrow shaft to deviate from theaforementioned plane position. Advantageously, the rotational mechanismprovides a means by which the arrow may be rotated for subsequentinstallations of fletching at predetermined increments along thecircumference of the arrow shaft.

Importantly, the exemplary embodiment does not require a spring clipcomponent for receiving and positioning fletching, an inadequate aspectof other fletching devices well known in the art. Rather, the exemplaryembodiment is operable to securely receive a plate component thatcommunicates in a parallel fashion with the top plane of the uppermostsurface of the base jig. Notably, the plate component comprises a slotthat is substantially in the center of the plate such that the slot maybe positioned over an arrow shaft that has been received by the base jigper the above described functionality. The slot in the plate componentis operable to receive a vertically stationed fletching and, when theplate is properly juxtaposed to the uppermost surface of the base jig,repeatedly position the fletching at a predetermined distance from thearrow nock and at a predetermined angle or helical dimension relative tothe center line of the arrow shaft.

In the present embodiment, alternative plate components are required forthe installation of various fletching designs. The inclusion, orexclusion, of any specific plate design, however, should not beconsidered a limiting factor for the scope of the invention. Moreover,plate designs may vary according to such factors as the specificfletching being installed, the arrow shaft dimensions, or the desiredfletch position and, therefore, plate designs may be novel in and ofthemselves without limiting the scope of the claims for a fletchingapparatus that uses such plates. In fact, it is anticipated that someembodiments of the plate component may be operable to accommodatemultiple fletching styles.

A user of an arrow fletching device with a plate clamp, such as theexemplary embodiment being presently described, can apply glue, or someother adhesive, to the base of the fletching such that when thefletching is inserted into the plate component's slot and the platecomponent is communicated with a base jig that has received an arrow,the fletching is firmly and accurately held in place against the arrowshaft until it is fixed thereto. Once the fletching is secured to thearrow shaft, a user of the embodiment may decouple the plate componentfrom the base jig, thereby simultaneously relieving the fletching fromits installed position within the slot. The arrow shaft may then berotated per the rotational mechanism described above and a new fletchinginstalled in the same manner as the first.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an arrow fletching device witha plate clamp shown with an arrow having a nock and a single fletching.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an arrow fletching device with a plateclamp shown with a received arrow and fletching.

FIG. 3 is a two dimensional side view of an arrow fletching device witha plate clamp shown with a received arrow and fletching.

FIG. 4A is a two dimensional cross-section view of a plate clampcomponent with a received fletching that is in communication with anarrow shaft.

FIG. 4B is an expanded two dimensional cross-section view of a plateclamp component with a received fletching that is in communication withan arrow shaft.

FIG. 5 is a perspective top view of an exemplary plate clamp componentoperable to communicate with a base jig.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the underside of an exemplary plateclamp component illustrating a helical profile on the groove extension.

FIG. 6B is also a perspective view of the underside of an exemplaryplate clamp component illustrating a helical profile on the groveextension, shown juxtaposed to a phantom arrow shaft.

FIG. 7 is a two dimensional top view of an exemplary plate clampcomponent featuring a 3 degree right hand fletching slot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The presently disclosed embodiments, as well as features and aspectsthereof, are directed towards providing a device that can accurately andrepeatedly position fletching against the shaft of an arrow, without aspring loaded butterfly clamp component, and securely hold the fletchingthereto until a bond is attained between the fletching and arrow shaftvia an adhesive.

An arrow fletching device with plate clamp, as well as features andaspects thereof, enables an arrow builder to accurately and repeatedlyposition fletching against the shaft of an arrow, without a springloaded butterfly clamp component, and securely hold the fletchingthereto until a bond is attained between the fletching and arrow shaftvia an adhesive. Exemplary embodiments of an arrow fletching device witha plate clamp are, generally, jig apparatuses operable to preciselyposition an arrow shaft relative to an arrow fletching. Moreparticularly, exemplary embodiments comprise a plate component, in lieuof a spring-loaded butterfly clamp, useful for receiving, positioningand retaining fletching against the shaft of an arrow. Advantageously,the use of a plate component with a specifically profiled slot operableto receive and position a fletching reduces the steps required to adherea fletching to an arrow shaft as well as mitigates the probability ofimproper installation of the fletching.

Those skilled in the art of arrow building need to be proficient in theapplication of numerous fletching designs. As has been described, it iscommon for arrow builders to employ a jig apparatus with a clampmechanism when seeking to fix a fletching to an arrow shaft. Often, thejig base receives the spring clamp via a magnet feature such that theuser may place the fletching into the clamp, taking great care toposition the fletching in the proper place within the clamp, andsubsequently communicate the clamp with the jig base via the mechanicalcoupling feature. Assuming that the user is deft at placing thefletching into the spring clamp and communicating the spring clamp tothe base jig in just the right position, the fletching will be properlyjuxtaposed to the waiting arrow shaft.

Other arrow fletching devices known in the art comprise multiplebutterfly clip components sequentially positioned around the shaft of anarrow that has been installed in the device. Advantageously, such priorart provides a means for a user to install multiple fletchingsimultaneously. Even so, devices comprising multiple butterfly clips forfletching retention still possess the shortfalls of the basic designoutlined above. Notably, the exemplary embodiments of an arrow fletchingdevice with plate clamps are offered herein as non-limiting examplesand, even though the exemplary embodiments do not explicitly illustratemultiple plate clamps being received by a single jig base, it should beappreciated that such functionality is anticipated.

Various embodiments of an arrow fletching device with a plate clamp seekto minimize the requisite skill a user must possess in order to properlyposition, align and fix a fletching to an arrow shaft. One exemplaryembodiment of an arrow fletching device with a plate clamp comprises ajig base having a means to position an arrow shaft along a planesubstantially parallel to, and beneath, a plane defined by its uppermostsurface. Further, the base of the exemplary embodiment also comprises amechanism by which the arrow shaft may be rotated in increments relativeto its nock position without causing the arrow shaft to deviate from theaforementioned plane position. Advantageously, the rotational mechanismprovides a means by which the arrow may be rotated for subsequentinstallations of fletching at predetermined increments along thecircumference of the arrow shaft.

Importantly, the exemplary embodiment may not require a spring loadedclip component for receiving and positioning fletching, an inadequateaspect of other fletching devices well known in the art. Further, theembodiment may not require the use of magnets, screws, bolting, clips,banding or other means for applying a force to a fletching directed atan arrow shaft. Rather, the exemplary embodiment is operable to securelyreceive a plate component that communicates in a parallel fashion withthe top plane of the uppermost surface of the base jig and isconsistently positioned such that a force is applied.

Notably, the plate component comprises a slot that is substantially inthe center of the plate such that the slot may be positioned over anarrow shaft that has been received by the base jig per the abovedescribed functionality. The slot in the plate component is operable toreceive a vertically stationed fletching and, when the plate is properlyjuxtaposed to the uppermost surface of the base jig, repeatedly positionthe fletching at a predetermined distance from the arrow nock and at apredetermined angle or helical dimension relative to the center line ofthe arrow shaft. Further, by virtue of the plate's installed position onthe base jig, interference between the base of a stationed fletching andthe shaft of an arrow secured within the base jig generates a forceuseful for encouraging the adhesive properties of any applied glue.

In the present embodiment, alternative plate components are required forthe installation of various fletching designs. The inclusion, orexclusion, of any specific plate design, however, should not beconsidered a limiting factor for the scope of the invention. Moreover,plate designs may vary according to such factors as the specificfletching being installed, the arrow shaft dimensions, or the desiredfletch position and, therefore, plate designs may be novel in and ofthemselves without limiting the scope of the claims for a fletchingapparatus that uses such plates.

A user of an arrow fletching device with a plate clamp, such as theexemplary embodiment being presently described, can apply glue, or someother adhesive, to the base of the fletching such that when thefletching is inserted into the plate component's slot and the platecomponent is communicated with a base jig that has received an arrow,the fletching is firmly and accurately held in place against the arrowshaft until it is fixed thereto. Once the fletching is secured to thearrow shaft, a user of the embodiment may decouple the plate componentfrom the base jig, thereby simultaneously separating the fletching fromits installed position within the slot. The arrow shaft may then berotated per the rotational mechanism described above and a new fletchinginstalled in the same manner as the first.

Turning now to the figures, where like labels represent like elementsthroughout the drawings, various aspects, features and embodiments of anarrow fletching device with plate clamp will be presented in moredetail. The examples as set forth in the drawings and detaileddescription are provided by way of explanation and are not meant aslimitations on the scope of an arrow fletching device with plate clamps.An arrow fletching device with plate clamps thus includes anymodifications and variations of the following examples as come withinthe scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an arrow fletching device witha plate clamp 100 shown with an arrow 115 having a nock 125 and a singlefletching 120. As has been previously described, an arrow fletchingdevice with a plate clamp 100 is generally comprised of a jig base 130and plate clamp 110. The jig base 130 includes a main base 315, a frontwall 325, a rear wall 320 and an upper deck 200 (all illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3) and is operable to receive and position the shaft of anarrow 115 in a specific plane. In some embodiments, the jig base maycomprise a positioning aspect useful for consistently positioning theplate clamp 110 relative to a received arrow 115, such as a series ofparallel grooves 150 in the top surface of the upper deck 200.Importantly, the particular embodiment of the jig base componentillustrated in the drawings is offered for exemplary purposes only and,therefore, the specific features and aspects associated with theexemplary base should not be interpreted to limit the scope claimedherein. It is anticipated that jig bases of various embodiments of anarrow fletching device with a plate clamp may take on numerous shapes,forms or constructions including, but not limited to, an “I”configuration, a “T configuration, a square, a “C” configuration, atriangle or any other shape useful for providing a stable and operablebase.

To receive and position the shaft of an arrow 115 in a specific plane,the jig base 130 comprises a lower receptacle, holder, clamp, clip orother receiving device collectively referred to as a receptacle 145 forreceipt of the arrow 115 by the nock 125 as well as an upper receptacle135 for receipt of the arrow 115 at a point along the shaft. Further, insome embodiments the receptacles that receive the arrow may beadjustable such that the desired plane for arrow shaft positioning maybe altered. For instance, the upper and or lower receptacles may beadjusted to change the plane or event the offset of the shaft.

An arrow that has been received by the jig base 130 via its nock 125 iscommunicatively coupled to a rotational adjustment device 140 such thatthe arrow shaft 115 may be rotated without deviating from the fixedplane defined by the two receptacles 135, 145. Other features andaspects of the present system will be more specifically described insubsequent drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the arrow fletching device with a plateclamp 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, shown with a received arrow 115 andfletching 120. The arrow 115 in FIG. 2 can be seen in a receivedposition such that the shaft of the arrow 115 is in communication withthe upper receptacle 135 for securing the arrow 115 at a point along itsshaft as well as a lower receptacle 145 for securing the nock 125.Advantageously, once the arrow is in communication with receptacles 135and 145, the shaft is secured in a plane and may be rotated via anadjustment device 140 without causing the shaft to deviate from theaforementioned plane. The rotational adjustment device 140 depicted inthe present embodiment may be operable to consistently index atpredetermined rotational angles, such as being gradual or as in a stepfunction or, may be a continuous adjustment with or without positionmarkings. The design of such a rotational adjustment device is wellknown in the art. Even so, variations of the rotational means areanticipated and it is important to note that while features and aspectsof a rotational device may make the device novel in and of itself, theinclusion, or exclusion, of a rotational device within an embodiment ofthe arrow fletching device with plate clamp should not be construed as alimitation.

Also depicted in FIG. 2, the plate clamp 110 is in receipt of thefletching 120 by way of a slot 210 positioned substantially at itscenter. Further, the plate clamp 110 is in communication with the jigbase 130 such that it resides in parallel with a plane defined by asurface 200 of the jig base 130. Advantageously, when the arrow 115 isin a received position within the base 130, as is shown in FIG. 2, theshaft of the arrow is also positioned substantially in parallel andbeneath the planes defined by the jig base surface 200 and plate clamp110 such that a fletching 120 residing within the plate clamp 110 slot210 is in communication with the arrow shaft 115 (point of communicationnot shown in FIG. 2) and oriented in a position that is defined andenforced by the shape and position of the slot 210. In the illustratedembodiment, the slot forces the centerline of the cross-section of thefletching to be substantially perpendicular to the shaft 115.

FIG. 3 is a two dimensional side view of the arrow fletching device witha plate clamp illustrated in FIG. 2, shown with a received arrow andfletching. As described prior, some embodiments of an arrow fletchingdevice with plate clamp 100 comprise means for adjusting the position ofthe centerline of a received arrow shaft 115. In the exemplaryembodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the arrow is received at its nock 125by lower receptacle 145 and at a point along its shaft by upperreceptacle 135. As shown, upper receptacle 135 is operable to beadjusted vertically (as illustrated or more broadly in a plane with thefront wall 325 of the base 130) so that a received arrow 115 may beraised or lowered relative to the plane defined by a surface 200 of thejig base 130.

In the exemplary embodiment, the plane in which the arrow shaft 115 ispositioned is adjusted by loosening adjustment nut 300 which is threadedonto a set bolt 310. When the adjustment nut 300 is retracted from a setposition, the shaft positioning means 135 may be raised or loweredwithin a slot 155 in the jig base 130 in a substantially vertical mannersuch that the shaft of the received arrow 115 is repositioned in a newplane. Advantageously, an arrow 115 may be received while in a planesubstantially lower than that defined by surface 200 and then raised andsecured via the method previously described to a parallel plane incloser proximity to that defined by surface 200. Once in a parallelplane close to the proximity of that defined by surface 200, the shaftof a received arrow 115 may be communicatively juxtaposed to a fletching120 that has been received by a plate clamp 110 such that by virtue ofthe plate's 110 installed position on the jig base 130, interferencebetween the base of the received fletching 120 and the shaft of thearrow 115 generates a force useful for maintaining the position of thefletching 120, relative to the arrow shaft 115, while any applied gluesets.

Notably, the arrow shaft plane adjustment mechanism described herein isoffered for exemplary purposes only and should not be considered as alimiting factor for the scope of an arrow fletching device with a plateclamp. It is anticipated that other techniques or mechanisms foradjusting the plane position of a received arrow, novel or otherwise,will be incorporated into various embodiments of an arrow fletchingdevice with plate clamp. For instance, the set bolt 310 depicted in FIG.3 may be sufficiently short in some embodiments that it would not extendthrough adjustment nut 300; in such an embodiment, the adjustment nutwould not feature a threaded “through hole” but would, instead, featurean adjustment nut capable of internally accommodating the full length ofthe set bolt. As another example of a potential variation in the planeposition adjustment mechanism, some embodiments may comprise a springloaded configuration such that a threaded set bolt is not required asthe adjustment knob may be pulled to relieve a set force and released toapply a set force once the mechanism is positioned. Further, it is alsoanticipated that some embodiments of an arrow fletching device withplate clamp may not comprise an adjustable aspect for the positioning ofan arrow shaft and, accordingly, the presence or absence of such afeature is not limiting for the claimed scope.

FIG. 4A is a two dimensional cross-section view of an exemplary plateclamp component 110 with a received fletching 120 that is incommunication with an arrow shaft 115. As illustrated in FIG. 4, thefletching 120 is in a received position in the slot 210 of the exemplaryplate clamp 110. The plate clamp 110 is in communication with a jig base130 (not shown) such that an arrow 115 received within the jig base 130is in a plane substantially parallel to that of the communicated plateclamp 110. A typical fletching 120, such as that depicted herein,comprises a fletching base 400 that runs in parallel with the fletchingfin, or fletching paddle, and is operable to provide a surface suitablefor the receipt of adhesive.

Moving to FIG. 4B, an expanded two dimensional cross-section view isillustrated of an exemplary plate clamp component 110 with a receivedfletching 120 that is in communication with an arrow shaft 115. Theexpanded view reveals the additional feature of a fletching retentionaspect 410 included in some embodiments of a plate clamp component 110.A fletching retention aspect, such as the “bumps” depicted in FIG. 4B,may be present along the interior surface of the fletching slot 210 in aplate clamp component 110. Advantageously, the inclusion of such anoptional aspect operates to provide an amount of resistance against thesides of a received fletching 120 such that the fletching is preventedfrom inadvertent separation from the plate clamp component 110. Further,as can be best seen in the FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrations, the base400 of a received fletching is physically juxtaposed to the shaft of areceived arrow 115 when the arrow 115 and plate clamp component 110 arefixed in appropriate planes relative to the jig base 130 surface 200.

FIG. 5 is a perspective top view of an exemplary plate clamp component110 operable to communicate with a surface 200 of a base jig 130. Theplate clamp component depicted in FIG. 5 is offered herein for exemplarypurposes only. All features and aspects of the exemplary embodiment may,or may not, be comprised within all embodiments of a plate clampcomponent.

Generally, the plate clamp component 110 is comprised of a substantiallyflat surface 540 having a fletching slot 210 substantially at itscenter, although the slot can be in a variety of locations relative tothe clamp component 110 and the shape and size thereof. As has beendescribed, the fletching slot 210 is operable to receive a fletchingand, in some embodiments, may be operable to receive fletching ofvarious designs or constructions. Further, as has been described, theplate clamp component 110, in its various embodiments, is operable to becommunicated with a surface, such as surface 200, of a fletchingapparatus base jig, such as base jig 130.

Extending downward from the edge of the main surface 540 is a pluralityof tabs 500. Advantageously, the tabs 500 operate to create a lateralforce against the jig base 130, or may be used to prevent movement, ormay be used to secure or connect the clamp component 110 to the jig base130 when the plate clamp component 110 is in communication with asurface 200 of a jig base 130 such that inadvertent shifting of thecommunicated plate clamp component 110 is minimized. It will beappreciated that in other embodiments, different techniques may be usedto secure the plate clamp component to the jig. For instance, magnetsmay be used to hold the components in position, as well as clamps,Velcro, or any of a variety of other connection techniques.

Additional features of the exemplary plate clamp component depicted inFIG. 5 include a series of various tabs, in addition to the tabs 500previously described, with various functions. For example, tab 510 ispositioned vertically at the fore end of the plate clamp component 110and is operable to provide a point at which a user can apply pressurefor positioning of the plate clamp component 110 during the process ofcommunication with a jig base 130. Also, vertically positioned tabs 520at the aft end of the plate clamp component 110 are operable to providea handle or a force point for placing the plate clamp component 110 ontothe base 130. In addition, the vertical tabs 520 and 510 can be used asforce points to slide the plate clamp component 110 forward or backwardalong the surface 200. Advantageously, such movement of the plate clampcomponent enables the fletching to be installed at different positionsalong the shaft. A graduated scale, as well as indentions may be used toidentify particular settings for the sliding plate clamp component 110.In addition, shims of varying sizes may be used to provide a consistentdistance of the plate clamp component 110 from the wall 320.

To clarify, the exemplary plate clamp component 110 depicted in FIG. 5may be communicated with a jig base 130, presumably after havingreceived a fletching 120 within its slot 210, by the user placing theplate clamp component 110 at an angle above the jig base 130 such that aforce is applied to the positioning tab 510 and the butt end 525 of theplate clamp component 110 is in communication with jig base 130 backwall 320. Next, to complete the communication procedure, the userpresses the plate clamp component 110 down onto the jig base 130 surface200 such that it is juxtaposed in a parallel plane to the surface 200.Doing so causes the clamping tabs 500 to flex outward and then retractto grip the edges of the jig base 130 such that the plate clampcomponent 110 is securely communicated. Advantageously, by positioningthe plate clamp component 110 against the back wall 320 with the buttend 525 of the plate clamp component 110, the user may consistentlyposition a received fletching 120 on the shaft of a received arrow 115relative to the arrow's nock 125. In order to remove or decouple theplate clamp component 110 from the jig base 130, the user may apply anupward force to the underside of the removal tabs 530 extendinglaterally from the main surface 540 at the aft end of the component 110.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the underside of the exemplary plateclamp component depicted in FIG. 5. All of the features describedrelative to FIG. 5 can be seen in the FIG. 6A illustration.Additionally, however, it can be seen in FIG. 6A that the underside ofthe fletching slot 210 in the exemplary embodiment features a slotextension aspect 600. Advantageously, extending the slot at a distancebelow the underside of the main surface 540 of the plate clamp component110 operates to position the bottom of the fletching base 400 againstthe shaft of a received arrow 115 in the jig base 130 (see also FIGS. 4Aand 4B) when the plate clamp component is in communication with surface200.

It should be appreciated that although the plate clamp component isshown as being a separate component from the base, in some embodimentsthe plate clamp component may actually be integral to the base. Further,in other embodiments the plate clamp component may further includeremovable slits so that various slit settings can be installed into theplate clamp component.

It can also be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6A, and other figures, that thefletching slot 210 is positioned at an angle relative to the shaft ofthe received arrow 115. Also, along the bottom most edge of thefletching slot extension 600, it can be seen in FIG. 6A that theexemplary embodiment features a helical contour 610. Advantageously,manipulating the shape of the base 400 of a received fletching 120 at a3 degree, right-hand offset with a helical twist, and holding suchmanipulation while the fletching 120 is fixed to the shaft of an arrow115 via an adhesive or other means, will operate to generate aparticular flight path when the arrow is released from a bow. As such,various slit configurations can be used to manipulate the manner inwhich the fletching is attached and ultimately, how the arrow will fly.For instance, in the illustrated embodiment the fletching configurationmay be well suited for an arrow that is fitted with a broadhead and shotfrom a bow. Importantly, such positioning and shape manipulation offletching is well known in the art and, although it is foreseeable thatnew fletching designs and manipulations may provide novel performance,the inclusion, or exclusion, of fletching slots 210 in a plate clampcomponent 110 operable to provide various fletching manipulations shouldnot limit the scope of an arrow fletching device with plate clamps.

FIG. 6B is also a perspective view of the underside of an exemplaryplate clamp component illustrating a helical profile on the groveextension, shown juxtaposed to a phantom arrow shaft. In the FIG. 6Billustration, the exemplary profile shown depicted on the edge of thefletching slot extension 600 is of a helical design well known in theart. As explained prior, various edge profiles on the edge of thefletching slot extension 600 can be used to manipulate the fletchinginto a desired shape prior to being fixed to an arrow shaft. Here, thehelical profile can be seen such that the higher points 615A, 620B onthe profile are catty-cornered from one another and correspond to lowerpoints 615B, 620A at the opposite ends of the profile, respectively. Inthis way, a “helical twist” is provided such that an inserted fletchingis manipulated to conform to the outer diameter of an arrow shaft.

FIG. 7 is a two dimensional top view of the exemplary plate clampcomponent depicted in the foregoing figures. Most of the featuresdescribed relative to the previous figures can also be seen in the FIG.7 illustration. From the top view of FIG. 7, however, the 3 degree,right hand angling of the fletching slot 210 can be more easily seenrelative to the centerline 700 of the exemplary plate clamp component110. Again, the manipulation of fletching profiles and angling relativeto an arrow shaft is well known in the art and the 3 degree right handangling depicted in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7 is offered forillustrative purposes only. Also well known in the art is 2 degreeangling, left hand positioning, no angling, and other fletchingmanipulations targeted for specific archery applications. Importantly,while the specifications of a physical manipulation of a fletching isnot claimed as a limiting aspect of the arrow fletching device withplate clamp presently described, the means of manipulation, i.e. a plateclamp component with a profiled slot aspect, is considered novel and isrecited accordingly in the claim set that follows.

It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, a single plate clampcomponent may include multiple slits of different configurations. Insuch embodiments, the base may be adapted to receive the plate clamp ina variety of positions with each position corresponding with one of themultiple slits. In addition, in other embodiments the base may beadapted to receive and hold multiple shafts. In such an embodiment, theplate clamp component may again have multiple slits; however, in thisembodiment each slit may correspond with a particular shaft being heldin the base. Advantageously, this embodiment would facilitate thebuild-out of multiple arrows. Even further, some embodiments may utilizea base that holds multiple shafts and a plate clamp component thatincludes a plurality of slit configurations and that can be installed inthe base in a variety of settings. Each such setting would allow a setof the slits to be used for attaching the fletching. In yet anotherembodiment, the base may hold multiple shafts and the slits in the plateclamp components may be configured in different manners. Thus, a userwould use the receptacles in the base that would correspond to thedesired fletching characteristics. It should also be appreciated thatthe various embodiments illustrated may be adapted to automation suchthat the components can be used in a robotic type machine to installfletching onto shafts.

The present arrow fletching device with plate clamp has been describedusing detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided byway of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the device.The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of whichare required in all embodiments of an arrow fletching device with plateclamp. Some embodiments of the arrow fletching device with plate clamputilize only some of the features or possible combinations of thefeatures. Variations of embodiments of an arrow fletching device withplate clamp that are described and embodiments of an arrow fletchingdevice with plate clamp comprising different combinations of featuresnoted in the described embodiments will occur to persons of the art.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that an arrowfletching device with plate clamp is not limited by what has beenparticularly shown and described herein above. Rather, the scope of anarrow fletching device with plate clamp is defined by the claims thatfollow.

1. A device for positioning and installing a fletching along a shaft,the device comprising: a jig base component operable to receive a shaftand maintain said shaft on a particular plane; and a plate componentoperable to be slideably coupled to the jig base component andcomprising a slot having fixed dimensions for receiving a fletching,wherein when the plate component is slideably coupled to the jig basecomponent the slot is parallel to said particular plane such that thebase of a fletching received into the slot is held in communication withsaid shaft received into the jig base component.
 2. The device of claim1, wherein said plate component comprises a series of tabs extendingdownward in a plane less than or equal to 90 degrees from the planedefined by its top surface.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein said tabsare operable to interfere with said jig base component when said platecomponent is in communication with said jig base component such thatsaid plate component is prevented from inadvertent repositioning.
 4. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein, via a magnetic force, said plate componentis prevented from inadvertent repositioning when in communication withsaid jig base component.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein said jigincludes an upper receptacle and a lower receptacle for receiving theshaft, the upper receptacle and the lower receptacle cooperating todefine the particular plane.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein at leastone of the upper receptacle and the lower receptacle of said jig basecomponent can be adjusted thereby defining a different plane.
 7. Thedevice of claim 6, wherein jig base component further comprises: a frontwall; and wherein said upper receptacle is slideably mounted to saidfront wall to allow the upper receptacle to be adjusted therebymodifying the plane at which the shaft is maintained.
 8. An apparatus tofacilitate the positioning and attachment of fletching along an arrowshaft, the apparatus comprising: a jig base component operable toreceive an arrow shaft and securely position said arrow shaft on aparticular plane, wherein the arrow shaft may be mechanically receivedby a lower receptacle receiving a first end of the shaft and an upperreceptacle receiving the shaft at a point along the shaft distal fromthe first end; at least one plate component defining a slot forreceiving a fletching and being operable to slideably couple to said jigbase component such that the base of a received fletching may bepositioned along a plane parallel to said plane upon which said shaft issecured; and a rotatable component that is integral with the lowerreceptacle such that when the rotatable component is rotated, the lowerreceptacle also rotates thereby causing said received shaft to alsorotate without causing the shaft to substantially deviate from theparticular plane.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the rotatablecomponent is operable to be turned in set increments.
 10. The apparatusof claim 8, wherein the upper receptacle and the lower receptacle can beadjusted relative to each other to modify the plane upon which a shaftis secured.
 11. An apparatus to facilitate the attachment of a fletchingto a shaft when the shaft has been secured in a position relative to aplane of the apparatus, the apparatus defining at least one slotoperable to receive a fletching, hold the fletching in a particularconfiguration and press the base of the fletching against the shaft,wherein the at least one slot further comprises a fletching retentionaspect along the interior surface of said slot such that an amount ofresistance against the sides of a received fletching is provided to holdthe fletching in a position within the at least one slot.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, further defining an extension towards the shaftthat further defines the slot.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, whereinthe edge of the extension nearest the shaft is contoured.
 14. A systemto facilitate the mounting of fletching to a shaft, the systemcomprising: a jig base having a front wall, a base, an upper deck and arear wall; an upper receptacle adjustably mounted to the front wall andoperative to receive a portion of the shaft; a lower receptaclerotatably mounted to the rear wall and integral to a rotation component;and a plate defining a slot for receiving a fletching, the slot beingstructured so as to force the fletching into a desired orientationrelative to the shaft when the plate is positioned on the upper deck ofthe jig base.
 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a pluralityof plates that can be mounted to the upper deck of the jig base witheach of the plurality of plates defining a slot configured to force thefletching into a different orientation relative to the shaft.
 16. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the plate further comprises a series of tabsextending downward in a plane less than or equal to 90 degrees from theplane defined by its top surface and that are operable to engage theupper deck of the jig base.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein thelower receptacle is such that when the integrated rotation component isrotated, the shaft is also rotated.